Arizona Cardinals: Getting an early start on free agency in 2019
The team with the worst record in the NFL in 2018 has been busy this offseason. How will the Arizona Cardinals make the most of their two newest players?
Following the 2017 season, then-Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians opted for retirement. General manager Steve Keim subsequently hired then-Carolina Panthers’ defensive coordinator Steve Wilks to take over the team. The club also brought in Mike McCoy and Al Holcomb as the offensive and defensive coordinator, respectively.
The club made massive changes in terms of the quarterbacks on the roster. That included adding former UCLA signal-caller Josh Rosen in the first round of April’s draft.
To be kind, the Cardinals’ season was a complete disaster — especially on the offensive side of the ball. But the whole club in general could use some help in every facet. And that’s why with unrestricted free agency scheduled to begin on March 13, the club has already gone out and grab a pair of players who were recently cut loose by the Atlanta Falcons.
In Super Bowl LI, cornerback Robert Alford returned a Tom Brady interception 82 yards for a touchdown in his team’s eventual 34-28 overtime loss that afternoon. Now he’s a member of the Cards after being cut loose by the Falcons and inking a three-year deal for $22.5 million (via Spotrac) with Arizona.
Likewise, defensive end/linebacker Brooks Reed, who was also cut loose by Atlanta this month and is now with the Cardinals via a one-year, $2 million contract (via Spotrac).
When you finish with the worst record in the NFL courtesy of a 3-13 mark — with two of those victories coming at the expense of the 4-12 San Francisco 49ers — there’s obviously a lot of room for improvement. And any player that could help the team must get a look-see. The Cardinals’ new head coach is Kliff Kingsbury and his defensive coordinator is Vance Joseph, who just wrapped up two less-than-successful seasons as the head coach of the Denver Broncos.
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Keim has the luxury of the first overall pick in April’s draft. More importantly, Robert Alford and Brooks Reed should be able to contribute to a team that finished 20th in the NFL in total defense – including dead last against a run in 18. And their recent additions certainly gives the Arizona Cardinals a little more flexibility during free agency and beyond as this club looks to rebound from a horrendous showing.